A new Summer Sprint Series that kicks off at Flemington has come around for Sartorial Splendor at the right time.
Announced last month, the Summer Sprint Series comprises the Listed Kensington Stakes (1000m) on Saturday, the Listed Christmas Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on Boxing Day, the Group 3 Standish Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on January 15 and the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) at The Valley two weeks later.
Trainer John Sadler said once Racing Victoria announced the new scheduling of races, it looked a nice program for Sartorial Splendor.
“Once they brought out these new races and changed things around with the Kensington, the Christmas Stakes, the Standish and the Australia Stakes, I thought I’d try and set him for those races,” Sadler said.
“And he’s a winner at all those three tracks.
“He’s not one of the top sprinters, he’s a second or third rung, but he’s probably rated up to near his best on Saturday.”
Sartorial Splendor is second topweight on Saturday with 58.5kg, 1.5kg less than topweight Halvorsen.
Sadler pointed out that when Sartorial Splendor defeated Halvorsen at Flemington on Anzac Day, he was on the minimum with 54kg and in receipt of 4kg.
“The last time he ran against a horse like Halvorsen, he was on the minimum weight, so I think on Saturday he’s weighted up to his best,” Sadler said.
“But we go there on Saturday hoping for the best and hopefully he can get a win or two.”
Sadler said following Saturday’s outing he would like to run Sartorial Splendor at Caulfield on Boxing Day and then make a decision about the Standish Handicap or the Australia Stakes.
“For horses like him that aren’t up to (Group 1) races like the Lightning Stakes, the Oakleigh Plate and the Newmarket Handicap, these are a good option,” Sadler said.
Sartorial Splendor will be having his first start since winning over 1100m at Caulfield on May 29 which followed his 1000m at Flemington on April 25.
